I FIFA Laws of the Game

The international youth football tournament Malaga Cup shall follow the international laws of the game provided by FIFA.
NB! If there are conflicting claims in the FIFA rules and in the Malaga Cup rules and regulations, the tournament guide shall apply.

Age group	Players	Duration	Substitutions	Stadium
2013/14	11×11		Back and forth	Federación Malagueña de Fútbol
2015	7×7		Back and forth	Federación Malagueña de Fútbol
2016	7×7		Back and forth	Federación Malagueña de Fútbol

II. Competition format

Malaga Cup is divided into two phases: subgroup tournaments and playoffs.

In the subgroup tournament, teams are divided into subgroups of 3 to 10 teams, where all teams play against each other once. A victory gives each team 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 points.

If two or more teams finish with equal points, ranking between them is first decided by the results of the matches played directly between those teams. If this does not resolve the tie, the following criteria are applied in order, until the tie is broken:

1. Points earned in matches between the tied teams
2. Goal difference in matches between the tied teams
3. Goal difference in all matches in the subgroup
4. Goals scored in all matches in the subgroup
5. Fewest yellow cards received in all matches in the subgroup
6. Drawing of lots

III. Substitutions

Changes are free, without the need to stop the game, always under prior authorization of the director, assistant field manager, or referee.

The game will only be stopped if the substituted player is the goalkeeper, or if the referee or field director considers it necessary.

Any substituted player may re-enter the game.

All substitutions must be made through the center of the field. The player entering the field must do so only once the field director or assistant field director has given approval.

IV. Use of older players in the tournament

In the 11-a-side category (2013/14), players born in 2013 or 2014 are eligible as standard. Each team may additionally field up to three older players, born on or after 23 February 2012.

This exception does not apply to the 7-a-side categories.

V. Uniform kit

Each club is required to bring at least two numbered playing uniforms, or one numbered kit and one set of numbered bibs. All jerseys must be properly numbered, and the numbers must match the team list. It is recommended that a player wear the same number throughout the competition.

Teams shall wear their club’s first official kit. If the kits of both teams match in color, or the referee determines that confusion may occur, the away team (listed second on the match schedule) shall change kits.

All players are required to wear shin guards.

Players warming up during a match must stand in the designated area, wearing a bib or vest that does not match the color of either team in play.

VI. Players participating in several teams

During Malaga Cup, a player may not play in more than one age group. If this rule is violated, the player is disqualified from the tournament, and the match in which the ineligible player took part is recorded as a 3-0 loss for the violating team.

VII. Stadiums

Tournament matches are played on Federación Malagueña de Fútbol stadiums. All fields are natural or artificial turf of the highest quality.

NB! Tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes to the time schedule during the tournament!

VIII. Penalties

If a playoff or final match ends level after full time, the teams proceed immediately to a penalty shootout. No extra time is played in any tournament match.

Number of penalty kicks per team:

• 11-a-side category: 5 kicks
• 7-a-side categories: 3 kicks

If the shootout is level after these kicks, it continues with sudden death: one kick per team per round, until one team scores and the other does not.

If a shootout cannot be held because a team has had to depart for travel reasons, the result is decided by drawing of lots.

IX. Protest

A protest is directed against the validity of the result of a match. A protest must be based on whether a player had the right to participate, on a serious violation of the rules by the referee, or on another incident that affected the result of the match.

The protest must be submitted in writing by a team representative (the person designated on the registration form as team leader) no later than 30 minutes after the end of the protested match.

A general protest against the whole opposing team is not acceptable. A protest against a yellow or red card, or against the removal of a player after a second caution, is allowed only if the referee made a mistake against the corresponding player.

The protest processing fee is 200 EUR. This amount is refunded if the protest is successful.

X. Jury

Disagreements and protests are resolved by a three-member jury. The jury includes the head referee and two head organizers of the tournament.

NB! The jury’s final decision cannot be appealed!

XI. Sanctions

If a team fields a sanctioned player, or a player who does not meet the requirements of the rules, the team loses the match in question 3-0.

If a player commits an infraction punishable by a caution or expulsion (on or off the field), they are penalized according to the nature of the act, based on the referee’s report and the sanction parameters detailed in the rules and regulations.

A yellow card communicates a caution. A player who receives two yellow cards in the same match is expelled and may not continue in that match.

A red card communicates an expulsion.

The blue card is NOT used during the competition.

Expulsions, once reviewed by the Competition Committee, are not further penalized in the following cases:

• Being sent off for preventing a goal with a hand, or for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (except for a goalkeeper inside their own penalty area)
• Being sent off after a minor offence as the last player in an obvious goal-scoring move
• Receiving a second caution in the same match, where the offence was minor and had no further repercussions

Expulsions of a serious nature are sanctioned by the Competition Committee and may lead to suspension for one or more match days, in cases including:

• Serious foul play
• Spitting at an opponent or any other person
• Violent conduct
• Offensive, insulting, or humiliating language and/or gestures
• Aggressive or unsportsmanlike conduct
• Any other action the Competition Committee considers serious

All cases of serious expulsion are reported to the national federation of the player’s country.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, on or off the field of play, may result in the exclusion of a player or team from the competition.

XII. Referees

All referees belong to National and International Referee Committees and are appointed by the Territorial Committee of Malaga. Their decisions are unappealable and in no case grounds for complaint.

XIII. Defaulters

If a team does not have at least 7 players (11-a-side category) or 5 players (7-a-side categories) on the field within 5 minutes of the official start of match time, a forfeit loss is recorded for that team.

XIV. Awards

The teams finishing first, second, and third are awarded trophies, medals, and diplomas. The best player and best goalkeeper of each age group receive special prizes.

The tournament winners receive an exclusive trophy with personal engraving.

XV. Responsibilities and insurance

All clubs and teams must have their players insured on and off the field. All participants must have a health card or private insurance. Malaga Cup is not responsible for damages to participants, such as loss of personal belongings (through theft or other circumstances) or injuries, nor for measures taken by public authorities or transport companies, such as strikes or cancellations.

At the time of registration, the club declares that its players are physically fit for the event. The organization declines all responsibility for any damage participants may cause, during or after the competition, to themselves or to third parties.

Where possible, the tournament organizers will assist with their medical skills.

XVI. Warnings and removals

A player removed from the field is disqualified for the next Malaga Cup match.

NB! The referee serving the match has the right to request a harsher punishment for the disqualified player. The referee must submit a written application to the tournament head referee, who makes the final decision. The head referee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.

The decision is communicated to the team representative named on the registration form.

XVII. Recognition of fair play

For the recognition of fair play, players are encouraged to shake hands with the opposing players and referee right after the line-up, before the match starts, and again after the final whistle.

XVIII. Rules of order

Delegates are responsible for their players in the event of damage to locker rooms, hotels, buses, or other facilities.

Silence must be respected in hotels between 23:00 and 8:00. Meal times set by hotel management must be respected. Travelling in the organization’s transport without a T-shirt is not allowed. Bringing alcohol or other substances not permitted for those under 18 into the rooms is not allowed.

Failure to comply with any of these rules by a player, coach, or companion may be grounds for expulsion from the tournament.

XIX. Warranty

By participating in Malaga Cup, a team confirms it is aware of all the rules of the tournament.

XX. Balls used in matches

All balls used during the tournament carry a “FIFA APPROVED” or “FIFA INSPECTED” marking.

XXI. Registration of the team

On arrival at the tournament, all teams must submit the completed registration form to the tournament organizers before their first competitive match. If possible, the completed form can be emailed in advance to heikki@nordicsportstars.com.

Players not listed on the registration form cannot participate. Teams are not allowed to add players to the registration form during the tournament.

NB! A team that has not met these requirements will not be allowed to play in the tournament.

XXII. Start of the match and its accompanying rules

The team must be on the match field 10 minutes before the match starts.

If the uniforms of both teams are the same color, the team listed second on the match schedule must change shirts or wear vests. Vests are provided by the tournament organizer.

Team size in the 11-a-side category: 20 players.

XXIII. State of emergency, tournament management

The tournament jury has the right to make changes to match times and locations where necessary, if an unavoidable event requires it.

NB! Tournament organizers are not responsible for theft during the tournament!